Orchestra Hall, located in downtown Minneapolis, received a major facelift in 2011. (Pioneer Press: Joe Rossi)

With its musicians still locked out, the Minnesota Orchestra has canceled the rest of its 2012-13 season, while adding three weeks of concerts in July.

Inspired by the recent end to the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's similar labor dispute, the orchestra's management has offered three new negotiating dates, May 20-22, with a federal mediator.

"We hope that the SPCO's ratification of a new contract can demonstrate a way forward," board chair Jon Campbell said in a news release Wednesday, May 8. "In that situation, (the) board and musicians came together and bargained throughout a long lockout in order to reach a resolution that the community can afford. We again ask our musicians to return to negotiate in good faith so that we can do the same."

The musicians are expected to respond in the coming days. In a statement, negotiating chair Tim Zavadil said: "The musicians have given management multiple options for collaborative negotiating. Instead, management remains committed to a scorched-earth strategy, leading to the exodus of musicians to our peer orchestras."

The musicians also have announced they will perform another independent concert, with two performances May 19 at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. The program includes Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, and Vivaldi and Piazzolla movements from the "Seasons." No tickets will be sold, but a free-will offering will be accepted.

Last week, Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska sent a letter to the board threatening to resign if the lockout doesn't end soon.

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The Minneapolis-based orchestra has a recording session scheduled for September, followed by performances at New York's Carnegie Hall in November. In his letter, Vanska told the board it is vital for rehearsals to begin the week of May 27 to be ready for the coming season, the recording and Carnegie Hall.

"If they lose confidence in our ability to perform these concerts as a result of the extended lockout, then I will be forced to resign my position as music director," Vanska wrote.

If musicians and management can come to an agreement, the orchestra is scheduled to perform a series of summer concerts July 20 through Aug. 3 at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall. The $45 tickets are on sale.

Those with tickets for the final, now-canceled concerts of the season will be contacted with several options. Ticketholders also may call 612-371-5656 or go to MinnesotaOrchestra.org/change.

Pop music critic Ross Raihala can be reached at 651-228-5553. Follow him at twitter.com/ RossRaihala.